Medical specialists condemn controversial Darusman Report

A group of leading medical specialists and consultants in healthcare services said they are appalled by the contents of the controversial Darusman Report.

"We have noted serious flaws in this report and feel that it is highly biased and prejudiced to a great extent," the specialists and consultants which included presidents, past presidents, office-bearers and members of main Professional Medical Associations in the country said.

"The panel has disregarded the fact that most violations of human rights and abductions were seen in defacto areas under the control of the LTTE rather than in areas managed by the government. The 'shelling' of hospitals and schools have been reported without verification," they said.

"It is obvious that this report would lead to both disruption and undermining of the prevailing peace and harmony among all ethnic groups in the country. It is sad to note that this report appears at a time of peace and reconciliation, when the harsh memories of the conflict are fading from the minds of people of all communities."

"During the reign of terror, the enormity of the fear psychosis was such that parents were reluctant to send their children to school fearing they would not see them return home alive, while family members travelled separately fearing the loss of the entire family," the specialists and consultants said.

They added: "This era of terror and tragedy ceased after May 19, 2009, following the end of the armed conflict. We have not witnessed a single act of terrorism since May 2009, though the scourge of terrorist outrages is more the rule in many other countries. The resultant hostility-free environment, enabled people to lead lives of normalcy with freedom of movement and independence.

"We as professionals, were actively involved in providing healthcare to the combatant casualties (both military and LTTE) and civilians including close relatives of the hierarchy of the LTTE, at the time of the liberation of the people in Northern Sri Lanka from the clutches of the forces of terror.

"We, as members of Colleges of Surgical and Medical Specialists of Sri Lanka were invited by the government to monitor the healthcare of the battle casualties and the IDPs. We were involved in ensuring the continued supply of medical and surgical provisions and vaccines to the affected areas. Some of us have even met you in person when you visited the IDPs in Sri Lanka.

"In our country we have a credible judicial system, our judges have been and are sought to sit at international courts of justice and tribunals. Many cases of alleged excesses of the military have been charged before courts, sentences amounting to even capital punishment have been meted out. Some of us who are signatories to this appeal have given evidence leading to prosecution of the accused of such excesses without bias or prejudice.

"If this report is taken into consideration we feel that reconciliation will have to wait many generations to come. Furthermore, the country may once again be dragged into an era of conflict and turmoil."